Henry Peach Robinson and Nelson King Cherrill
The Beached Margent of the Sea, 1870
Albumen print from a glass negative, laid down on paper
The print: 25.1 x 37.6 cm
11844 C
Henry Peach Robinson (1830–1901) and Nelson King Cherrill (1845–1916) were British photographers who formed a highly successful partnership from 1868 to 1875. Their collaboration produced groundbreaking combination prints, which were...
Henry Peach Robinson (1830–1901) and Nelson King Cherrill (1845–1916) were British photographers who formed a highly successful partnership from 1868 to 1875. Their collaboration produced groundbreaking combination prints, which were widely praised and are considered precursors to montage.
One of their most celebrated works, The Beached Margent of the Sea, is considered a masterpiece of the period. The print exemplifies their technique of combining multiple negatives or prints into a single image, blending imaginative imagery with technical sophistication. The work, with its Turneresque and romantic qualities, is both atmospheric and visually complex, featuring elements like clouds and birds, which were skilfully added to enhance the scene.
"The Beached Margent of the Sea" is a poetic and somewhat archaic phrase. Margent being an old word to describe the edge or border of something, in this case, the edge of the sea. The phrase in the title can therefore be interpreted as the shoreline of the sea, where things may be stranded or washed up. This evokes a sense of stillness, abandonment, or the passage of time. It’s a romantic and poetic description that enhances the mood of the photograph, emphasising feelings of isolation and contemplation.
Robinson was a passionate advocate for photography as an art form and played a pivotal role in promoting its recognition. He was an early member of the Linked Ring society, a rival to the Photographic Society, and was also honoured with an honorary membership in the Royal Photographic Society. Robinson passed away in 1901 and was buried in Tunbridge Wells. His work, particularly his combination prints, remains highly regarded for its technical and artistic contributions to the field of photography.
One of their most celebrated works, The Beached Margent of the Sea, is considered a masterpiece of the period. The print exemplifies their technique of combining multiple negatives or prints into a single image, blending imaginative imagery with technical sophistication. The work, with its Turneresque and romantic qualities, is both atmospheric and visually complex, featuring elements like clouds and birds, which were skilfully added to enhance the scene.
"The Beached Margent of the Sea" is a poetic and somewhat archaic phrase. Margent being an old word to describe the edge or border of something, in this case, the edge of the sea. The phrase in the title can therefore be interpreted as the shoreline of the sea, where things may be stranded or washed up. This evokes a sense of stillness, abandonment, or the passage of time. It’s a romantic and poetic description that enhances the mood of the photograph, emphasising feelings of isolation and contemplation.
Robinson was a passionate advocate for photography as an art form and played a pivotal role in promoting its recognition. He was an early member of the Linked Ring society, a rival to the Photographic Society, and was also honoured with an honorary membership in the Royal Photographic Society. Robinson passed away in 1901 and was buried in Tunbridge Wells. His work, particularly his combination prints, remains highly regarded for its technical and artistic contributions to the field of photography.
